Top Stories

Research and Development (R&D)

Research and Development gives you the chance to work on exciting engineering projects, using and developing state-of-the-art technology.

The Shell Graduate Programme

As a graduate joining the Technical area of the Shell Graduate Programme within Research and Development, you can expect to experience a two and a half year programme comprising real-life assignment-based projects designed to broaden your development within R&D. You could have the chance to work on exciting engineering projects, using and developing state-of-the-art technology. It’s a chance for visionaries, who are curious to find out how they can make a difference, to gain unrivalled hands-on experience. Within our diverse global teams, you could find yourself working with industry experts from around the world.

Research and Development (R&D)

As part of Shell’s highly skilled R&D field you'll be instrumental in helping us meet the challenges of producing energy from alternative sources. You’ll start in either the Downstream or the Upstream areas of the business. In Downstream you could be asked to develop new catalysts, create high-performance fuels and lubricants, deliver improved chemical and refining process technologies, or work in partnership with customers on innovative products. Upstream projects include hydrocarbon exploration and recovery technologies: identifying, evaluating and unlocking difficult hydrocarbons from the subsurface with a focus on environmental impact and energy efficiency.

Roles and responsibilities

Working in R&D will provide you with a great opportunity to contribute to our drive for a cleaner global energy future. As part of the Shell Graduate Programme you could take on responsibilities such as:

Searching for and developing new catalysts

Creating high performance fuels and lubricants

Exploring sustainable energy technologies

Supporting existing businesses

Collaborating with customers on novel products

Training and development opportunities

While in the Shell Graduate Programme, you'll undertake discipline-specific e-learning, face-to-face events, formal assessments and job tasks based on R&D competences. It’s a supportive environment where learning is structured, and where you'll benefit from coaching, mentoring and progress checks every six months. We want you to have the means to make significant contributions to our R&D functions and develop your career potential.

Future assignments

Once you have completed the Shell Graduate Programme there is continued support with professional development. For many disciplines linked to R&D, a formal ‘Shell Advanced Technical Programme’ will provide further training and development.

Alternatively, after an initial assignment, you could choose to move to a more operational role outside of R&D, often in an area with a strong connection to your first job assignment. Or, you could progress further within R&D, developing more technical depth and knowledge.